Distance Learning (DL) is a medium or an educational format that enables learning to occur when the student and the instructor are physically separated from each other in time and place.
At RCC these courses may be offered via the North Carolina Information Highway or the Internet. Such classes have the same course description, basic content, and credit hours as the traditional courses.
How It Works
Online Courses: In an online course, instruction may be synchronous (requires all participants to be online at the same moment) or asynchronous (learning “anytime, anywhere” meaning that the learning process of a particular subject is performed without fixed class hours in classrooms).
Entrance into an online class is defined as logging into the institution’s learning management system (Moodle) and completing the required enrollment assignment. Attendance is determined weekly by students completing assignments, submitting quizzes/tests or posting within a required discussion forum. Therefore, students should check the website four to five times a week.
Hybrid Courses: A hybrid course combines both the online and face-to-face environment. Part of the instruction, such as lectures, is presented online while another segment, such as lab work, is taught in the traditional face-to-face setting. Thus, students should expect to complete assignments and to participate fully in both the online and face-to-face portions of the class.
Web Assisted Course: A web assisted course is a College credit course where the primary delivery is via traditional face-to face method with a requirement that students have Internet access as a supplemental part of the course.
North Carolina Information Highway (NCIH) Course: Through the assistance of a video network, students are seated in a classroom at Robeson Community College while they view their instructor, who is located at another institution, via a television screen. Such a course is offered through NCIH (North Carolina Information Highway).
Distance Learning Education Grading System
The grading system of the host institution will be used. The final letter grade of the course, issued by the College, will be posted to the student transcript.
Proctor Policy
In some distance learning courses, instructors may require students to either visit campus at specified times and locations to take one or more assessments or to obtain an instructor approved proctor to administer exams. If the proctor option is selected, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain an acceptable proctor.
Students must submit names, positions, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of the potential proctors and locations where exams can be administered. Proctors and locations must meet with the approval of the instructor. Once an instructor approves a proctor and testing procedure, the RCC instructor will contact the proctor and arrange for delivery and return of the exam. The instructor, proctor, and student will agree upon the time and parameters under which the exam is given. Students are responsible for any fees charged by proctors.
Qualified Proctors May Be:
- Administrators of recognized private testing centers
- Administrators or full-time faculty at accredited universities, colleges, or community colleges
- Principals, associate/assistant principals, and counselors of US public schools
- US Forces Military Commanders of Field Grade or above
- Education Services Officers on US military installations within the US or overseas
- US embassy or consulate officials
Qualified Proctors May Not Be Friends or Family Members!
Again, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain an acceptable proctor. The process of identifying a proctor, obtaining approval, and exam coordination takes time. Students must make arrangements for a proctor and testing location at least two weeks prior to an examination. Failure to do so may result in a zero for the examination.
State Authorization and Distance Learning
Recent amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) include new requirements in individual state authorization regulations that impact colleges that offer online and distance learning. Robeson Community College is working to achieve compliance as established in HEOA 600.9 (c)
This particular section of § 600.9 State authorization states: If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary [of Education] the State’s approval upon request. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002)
How Is RCC Responding to This Mandate?
RCC is complying with the Federal Requirements by monitoring incoming applications of out-of-state students who plan to enroll in distance learning courses. Once the student declares their intent to enroll in distance learning courses, communication will be initiated seeking State Authorization for their particular state of residency. Additionally, RCC has applied and received approval to participate in the Southern Regional Electronic Board – Electronic Campus (SREB-EC). Our approval to participate in the Southern Regional Electronic Board – Electronic Campus (SREB-EC) exempts us from the requirement to apply for authorization to the states who participate in the SREB’s Electronic Campus Regional Reciprocity Agreement (SECRRA). This reciprocal agreement basically agrees that SREB participating states consent to recognize courses and programs from other participating states that are listed in the SREB-EC.
Institutional and State Contact Information
This information can be found in the Directory of Correspondence [Opens in a new tab] section.
Grade Appeals Process
For a complete description of Robeson Community College’s grade appeals process, please refer to the section on Grade Appeals Process [opens in same tab] or you may access it under Academic Policies and Procedures.
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